Mafia Princess; Beneath His Protection

There was a threatening calm in the courtroom, Luciana Fester adjusted her blazer as her gaze settled on that of her greatest rival. Alexander Romano, he sat there in his dark suit with a smirk that was even darker and a confidence that dripped of arrogance. Tailored navy suit, an open collar with just a glimpse of gold chain beneath, and the kind of aura only a man born into power could possess. His dark hair was slicked back, his jaw dusted with just enough stubble to look deliberate, not lazy. His gaze and posture spoke volumes of how he would rather be elsewhere. He probably felt this was a massive waste of time. Luciana tightened her grip on the pen in her hand when he caught her staring and winked at her. "Your Honor," she said, standing, her voice sharp and unwavering, "This motion is a blatant delay tactic. Mr. Romano's legal team has already been granted two extensions." Alexander raised a hand and stood casually, not bothering to button his jacket. "With all due respect, Counselor Fester's eagerness to rush this case might have something to do with how flimsy her evidence is." Lots of murmuring was heard throughout the courtroom. Luciana shot a glare at him though she couldn't say she was surprised by his rudeness. Judge Berryman raised an eyebrow, sighing. "Save the theatrics. This isn't a debate club." Luciana's gaze flicked to Alexander's lead attorney, Miles Davenport, who sat beside him pretending to be interested in the floor tiles. She'd known Miles for years, a slimy, spineless fellow. He could represent the devil himself for the right price. He was probably overjoyed beneath that clueless look he had. Alexander was handling everything himself, and he still got paid. As if he needed another reason to get under her skin. "Motion denied," the judge said firmly. "We move to evidentiary review next week." Luciana sat down, jaw tight, pulse hammering. Alexander glanced her way, catching her eye. His smile deepened. A flicker of something unreadable passed through his gaze. It took a lot of willpower for Luciana not to curse him out straight. ** "Counselor Fester," a voice called as she walked through the marble-floored courthouse lobby. She turned sharply, ready to shut down whoever it was, but slowed when she saw it was Assistant DA Tina Ijeoma, her friend and occasional drinking buddy. Tina was wearing her usual sharp bob and bold lipstick, holding a coffee in one hand and a folder tucked under her arm. "You looked like you wanted to throw something at Romano's head back there," Tina said, amused. "I did." Luciana exhaled and accepted the extra coffee. "That man thinks he's untouchable. He's smug, manipulative, and probably guilty as hell." "Probably?" "I just need more proof. Everything so far is circumstantial, or just... vanishes before I get it. Someone's covering his tracks." "Maybe because someone upstairs doesn't want you digging too deep?" Tina's tone was light, but Luciana heard the warning beneath it. It wouldn't be a surprise though. She knew his family had crazy connections all over. "I don't care," Luciana muttered. "My father cared about justice. That's the entire reason he went missing. I'm not stopping because the accused has a last name that makes people nervous." Ijeoma nodded. " I mean, if that's the reason he went missing, wouldn't he want you to avoid Alexander at all cost? Just know if you ever need backup..." "I know. Thanks." They exchanged a look. Luciana didn't like dragging others into the mess she was determined to clean up. Especially not Ijeoma, who still believed in the system and had a life outside work unlike her. ** Meanwhile, across the city, in the backroom of a luxurious downtown restaurant that doubled as a meeting hub for the Romano empire, Alexander sat at a long finely carved wooden table flanked by his closest confidants. Marco Romano, his older cousin and unofficial muscle poured a drink while asking about the court case. It was a huge worry among the family. Alexander was meant to have a good public image as a reputable businessman if he was going to take over the business. "You keep playing footsie with that lawyer, and before you know it she's going to bite your head off," Marco said, sliding Alexander a glass of wine. Alexander grinned, swirling the glass. "She's more interesting than most people in that courtroom. At least she's not afraid of me." "Not afraid doesn't mean not dangerous," said Sofia Moretti, the family's in-house accountant and Alexander's childhood friend. She wore a pencil skirt with a glare, and had a deep suspicion of any woman near Alexander who wasn't her. "Women like her are sharp. You let them get too close, they'll cut you." "I'm not letting her do anything. I just like watching her work." Marco raised an eyebrow. "You're enjoying this." It came as a surprise to him that Alexander would, in anyway, be enjoying this court case that could cost him his future as the heir. "Maybe." The door opened, and Riccardo Romano entered, the current head of the family. Silver hair, sharp suit and a gaze that would intimidate almost anyone. The room went quiet immediately. "Is she a threat?" he asked Alexander directly, not wasting time on small talk. "She's a lawyer, not a gunman," Alexander replied. Riccardo narrowed his gaze. "Some lawyers can do more damage than a bullet. Keep her occupied-but not too close. We don't need a repeat of the Fester's case. She is his daughter after all." Alexander smile faded. He knew the name. Everyone did. Luciana's father, Alessandro Fester, had once posed a threat the Romano family after Riccardo was publicly announced as a person of interest to his missing following investigations initiated by his wife. He disappeared fifteen years ago. ** That night, Luciana sat in her messy apartment, flipping through her father's old notes. She shouldn't have them half of it was probably classified but after his disappearance, she'd pulled every string, every favor, every threat she could. And still, no answers. One note stuck out though it was a name Riccardo Romano circled and dated three weeks before Alessandro had vanished. This case was just the first step. She didn't just want a conviction, she wanted answers to the mystery of her Father's disapperance. Her mother had spent all her time trying to solve it and now she did the same. She leaned back and stared at the ceiling. Her phone buzzed. Unknown number. Be careful where you dig, counselor. She stared at the message amused and disgusted. Then, without hesitating, she scoffed as she typed a reply. Tell Alexander Romano I don't get scared this easily.